James Morrison

Besides the trumpet, virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist James Morrison also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, double bass and piano.

At the age of seven, he was given his first instrument, at nine he formed his first band and at thirteen he was playing professionally in nightclubs. At only age 16 James débuted in the USA with the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Following this were gigs in the world’s most famous jazz clubs - The Blue Note and Village Vanguard in New York, the New Morning in Paris and Ronnie Scotts in London, and performances at the big festivals in Europe playing with many of the legends of jazz. Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Red Rodney, George Benson, Ray Charles and B. B. King to name a few.

James has recorded Jazz Meets the Symphony with The London Symphony Orchestra, performed concerts at the Royal Albert hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Royal command performances on two occasions for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and for US Presidents Bush & Clinton. In 1997, James was awarded a medal of The Order of Australia.

James was also the artistic advisor to the Sydney Symphony’s “Kaleidoscope” series, which has included performances by Chick Corea and Dianne Reeves. James was recently appointed Artistic Director of the Queensland Music Festival for 2013 and 2015.

He also conducts master-classes in many countries and presented the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship at Generations in Jazz. James is very involved in furthering the presence of jazz and music education online and also uses computers extensively in his writing, recording and performances.

When not writing film scores, composing or being patron of several youth orchestras, James relaxes by flying his private plane or driving in a rally championship. He was a host on TV programme Top Gear Australia.

When asked, What is there left to do? The typically ‘James’ reply is “This is just the warm up!”